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James Loney keys Tuesday win with three hits

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

Consistent Rays first baseman James Loney continued to produce Wednesday in a victory over the host Yankees. He slammed three hits, including a solo homer in the first inning and run-scoring single in the third.

Loney, who was following up a four-hit performance Sunday, owns a solid stat line of .289/.337/.385 with nine home runs and 66 RBI.

Rays first baseman James Loney hit his seventh home run Tuesday against the Tigers.

Loney struck in the first inning. With two men on base, Loney took a 93 mph fastball from Max Scherzer out to right for a three-run shot. Loney would go on to single twice during the contest. He finished 3 for 4, with one run scored and three RBI.

Rays first baseman James Loney put together yet another multi-hit game Friday, his third in a row, in a win over the Yankees.

Loney went 2 for 4 in Friday's game and clubbed his first home run since July 1 in the 5-0 win. He also drove in a run with a fielder's choice earlier in the game, finishing with two RBI and one run scored.

Loney is 7 for 13 over the last three games, with five RBI, raising his season line to .289/.341/.378 in 463 at-bats.

A matchup against Cubs lefty Tsuyoshi Wada has Rays first baseman James Loney sitting on Thursday. Sean Rodriguez will man the position instead.

Loney, who is batting .254 against southpaws this season, has been on a tear at the plate with four multi-hit games in the last five. His seven-game hitting streak has sweetened his stat line to .292/.347/.381.

Rays first baseman James Loney has gained a reputation for a lack of power production despite a strong average. He has done nothing to dispel that perception in recent weeks.

Loney has improved his average from .273 to .284 with 17 hits in his last 47 at-bats and four multi-hit games in the last five. But he has just two extra-base hits with no home runs since July 1 and four RBI since July 2.

He has, however, been more than serviceable this season with 47 RBI and 41 runs scored in 99 games.